INFORMATIONAL

HB 2764: Bloodborne Pathogen Training for School Personnel
and Management of Exposure-Prone Incidents in Schools

The 1997 General Assembly, through HB 2764, amended Section
22.1-271.3 of the Code of Virginia to require school boards
to ensure that school personnel who have direct contact with
students receive training in "the etiology, prevention,
transmission modes, and effects of blood-borne pathogens,
specifically, hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency viruses
or any other infections that are the subject of regulations
promulgated by the Safety and Health Codes board of the
Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Program within the
Department of Labor and Industry." The bill also requires
local health directors to provide medical advice to Division
Superintendents regarding possible exposures of school
personnel to blood or body fluids of students.
Attached is a copy of a memorandum from the Virginia
Department of Health (VDH) to District Health Directors. As
you will note, local health departments may be able to help
you in planning for the required training. Further, the
manual Guidelines for Specialized Health Care Procedures,
distributed to each school in 1996, contains useful
information in training of school personnel.
The attached memorandum also advises District Health
Directors of their responsibilities in investigating
incidences of school employee exposure to blood or body
fluids. You are encouraged to contact the appropriate
person to develop procedures for your school division.
Questions about this matter may be referred to H. Douglas
Cox, Director, Office of Special Education and Student
Services. Mr. Cox may be reached at (804) 225-2402 or by
E-mail at dougcox@pen.k12.va.us.
RTL/hdc
Attachment: A hard copy of this memo and its attachment
will be sent to the superintendent's office.